Use Shutterstock Create to create a quick graphic badge with a short, actionable message to place on your direct mailers or digital ads.
A badge can illustrate a special offer: “Buy one get one free!” Create a sense of urgency: “Offer ends soon!” Demonstrate authority or credibility: “Voted Best in 2023.” And, so much more.
This guide shows you how to quickly create one of these badges to place on your marketing materials.
Let’s get started.
Step 1: Make a Badge Using Shapes
Go to Create and click File > Create new > Blank Canvas. Select your preferred canvas size to open.
Or, type your preferred specs into the Create custom toolbar, then click Make it!
Click Shapes or Graphics to find your favorite badge-worthy asset. Note that graphics will be a bit more specific and abstract than the options in the Shapes tab.
Still, we chose the hexagon from the Shapes tab, because that’s exactly what we need!
This shape works great for a “good job” or “fantastic!” sticker on your homework.
Of course, you’ll see that the shape isn’t currently filled in. To change that, simply go to the Change color tab, select the transparent layer, and select your fill color.
Resize the shape to fit the canvas, and change the Fill color to gold from the Change color tab. Then, right-click > Duplicate layer to double it up.
Select the top shape and skew the top blue circle sideways to create an alternating, jagged look.
Using the same Shapes menu, we added a solid circle and changed the Fill color to an orange from the Change color menu.
Step 2: Craft a Message
Use an attention-grabbing call-to-action (CTA), followed by a more detailed support message. If you’re advertising a sale or discount, use the word “Save,” followed by a limited time frame to communicate urgency.
We’ll use some typography tips to jazz things up using the Text tab on the left and the font customization options on the top toolbar.
For the headline, we used Abril Fatface.
Center the text and adjust the letter spacing as you see fit with the Underlined T icon on the top toolbar.
For the subhead, we used Wonder Unit Sans. Feel free to add a line from the graphics tab to separate the text.
As you drag-and-drop the assets to the canvas, remember to line up everything symmetrically with the help of the red Alignment tool.
Step 3: Download and Use
Once we’ve populated the badge with our messaging, we can save it to use on our marketing collateral.
First, we need to make the background transparent. It’s really important to do this. . . .
If you save it with the pre-set background, you’ll have a badge image with a white box behind it. We want just the badge shape so we can place it over other art.
To do that, simply highlight the background layer. Select Change color and click the Transparent box.
Hit the Download button on the top-right of the page. Under File Format, choose PNG. Leave resolution at High then download your badge file.
You’ll have a nice custom shape, with custom messaging, that fits right over your existing or new direct mail materials or email.
You can even save this shape to use later on in designs that you create within the application. Lookin’ good!
Learn how to make marketing materials in Create with these easy-to-follow tutorials:
License this cover image mockup via Mix and Match Studio, Artzi, and Sunward Art.
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